SPRINGS MANAGER CHIDED FOR NOT REPORTING PROBLEM

CORAL SPRINGS -- City Manager Bill Brady received some sharp criticism from City Commissioners this week after he failed to inform the commission of a problem with a contractor.

Commissioners on Tuesday scolded Brady for not telling them that Federal Construction Co. of St. Petersburg was not bonded to oversee $15 million in city construction projects.

"I goofed," Brady said. "It was an error in judgment."

The company was approved in January to supervise construction of Cypress Park, a community center at Mullins Park, and renovation of the Public Safety Building along Coral Springs Drive.

The projects are being financed by a bond issue approved by voters in 1985.

"What happened last night is the down side of the inherent risk of a city manager form of government," Commissioner Jim Gordon said on Wednesday. "This is kind of an Oliver North scenario where the administration does their own thing without informing the commission."

Brady, who said the contractor's performance is good, apologized to the commission at Tuesday's meeting.

A performance bond provides insurance for the city in case the projects are not finished.

Brady said the city was not at risk because the subcontractors are bonded.

However, a performance or a "gap bond" for Federal Construction's part in the project is necessary, he said.

Vice Mayor Ed Heafy said he learned that the company was not bonded after two of the subcontractors for the projects quit because they had not been paid by Federal.

But the city agreed to directly pay the subcontractors about $300,000 on Tuesday and the workers returned to the job site the following day, Brady said.

Commissioners, usually complimentary of Brady's performance, said they were disappointed that he did not tell them about the bonding problem.

Gordon said he will continue to work with Brady but holds him directly responsible for what happened.

Commissioner Don Sanders said that everyone is entitled to one mistake.

But Brady "has to be on his toes in the future because this cannot be tolerated again," Sanders said.

Sanders said he would like a detailed explanation from Brady on why he did not inform the commission. On Wednesday, Brady said an explanation is forthcoming.

Heafy said Brady probably got the message from the complaints aired by commissioners on Tuesday.

"I'm sure he realizes that he has to let the commission know what's going on," Heafy said.

Mayor Ben Geiger said Brady has always done a good job of informing the commission of city business and this incident does not represent a breakdown in communication.

"The Coral Springs commission is probably one of the best informed city commissions around," he said.

Geiger said the incident did not put the city in any jeopardy and should not been made an issue.

The commission gave Federal until Sept. 15 to come up with a bond for the project.